Post by Stringwacker on Jan 15, 2013 19:15:10 GMT -5
MBA LEGISLATIVE ALERT!!!!!!!
The Senate and House Wildlife, Fisheries, and Park Committees have pending crossbow bills to consider before the February 5th Committee action deadlines.
These are two serious bills that need our immediate attention. It’s extremely likely that without your calls, one of these two bills will allow crossbow usage in the archery season.Therefore, the MBA is going to our base of support…you the member! The Senate crossbow bill was filed by Wildlife Chairman Senator Giles Ward (District 18-Leake, Neshoba, Winston) and the House bill was filed by Representative Cecil Brown (District 66-Hinds). Here is an explanation of the two bills:
Senate Bill 2048- This bill will re-write the law to allow crossbows for all residents (irrespective of age or disability) in the archery season as long as they purchase an archery/primitive weapon license. At this point, there is no provision in this bill to shorten the archery season; but bills do often change from their original filings. The MBA has spoken with Senate Wildlife Chairman Ward and he is committed in bringing the bill up to a vote in his Senate Committee. The Chairman has indicated that if the bill is defeated in his committee or on the Senate floor that he will not introduce it again while Chairman. The Chairman is holding the vote off for a couple of weeks where sportsmen can voice their opinions both pro and con. We find the Senate Wildlife Chairman a likeable fellow who intends to be fair in the handling of this matter. He is giving you a chance to contact his Committee and other Senators about this bill. We need you to call and voice your opinion on SB2048. They want your input.
House Bill 186-This bill that was introduced by Cecil Brown (District 66-Hinds) allows the Commission-Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to define the term ‘bow and arrow” and other law or regulation applicable to archery season. There can be little doubt the intent of defining ‘bow and arrow’ is to allow the use of crossbows. We are not certain what the wording of ‘other law and regulation applicable to archery season’ means, but we will have to assume it’s not good. We urge you to contact your House Wildlife Committee member and state your views on this bill.
Given that both SB2048 and HB186 are primarily crossbow bills, one might ask why should we oppose these new proposed changes? It is our belief that the majority of bowhunters oppose the crossbows use in an archery season other than for the elderly and physically challenged. Additionally, the question that not any of us can answer is can crossbow legalization make bow and arrow usage obsolete? One only has to look at the ‘modern’ primitive weapon changes a few years ago to see how those changes have made the use of muzzleloaders a rare event in this state. The MBA can see bow and arrow usage following the same trend. In the state of Ohio, crossbow users outnumber vertical bow users so it can happen! It is also a grave concern that if lawmakers allow the use of crossbows under the reasoning of more “opportunity”, what comes next? Archery seasons as they exist today are fair based on the fact that they provide “opportunity” to every sportsmen in this state to participate in the archery season. An individual is only limited by their free will choice to participate. The MBA doesn’t believe that a weapon that has its power mechanically loaded, is shouldered, scoped, has a solid trigger assembly, and can be made to stay in a ready to fire position…is valid archery equipment . One might ask….what archery skills are employed to shoot this archery weapon? Crossbows are not bows; regardless of what some people may say.
So you may ask, exactly what do I need to do? (!!!!)
Contact your local Senator/Representative from the county that you reside (see link below) as these bills will hit a committee vote soon!
Once you have made your calls & emails please get your friends to do the same! We have also provided a web address to every elected legislative official so you can obtain more contact info and numbers to call your hometown legislator. These people hold the future of bowhunting. The time is short and the stakes are high. Start those calls & emails now!
Thank you for your help.
MBA Legislative Committee
All Senate members web link:
billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/s_roster.pdf
All House members web link:
billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/h_roster.pdf
The Senate and House Wildlife, Fisheries, and Park Committees have pending crossbow bills to consider before the February 5th Committee action deadlines.
These are two serious bills that need our immediate attention. It’s extremely likely that without your calls, one of these two bills will allow crossbow usage in the archery season.Therefore, the MBA is going to our base of support…you the member! The Senate crossbow bill was filed by Wildlife Chairman Senator Giles Ward (District 18-Leake, Neshoba, Winston) and the House bill was filed by Representative Cecil Brown (District 66-Hinds). Here is an explanation of the two bills:
Senate Bill 2048- This bill will re-write the law to allow crossbows for all residents (irrespective of age or disability) in the archery season as long as they purchase an archery/primitive weapon license. At this point, there is no provision in this bill to shorten the archery season; but bills do often change from their original filings. The MBA has spoken with Senate Wildlife Chairman Ward and he is committed in bringing the bill up to a vote in his Senate Committee. The Chairman has indicated that if the bill is defeated in his committee or on the Senate floor that he will not introduce it again while Chairman. The Chairman is holding the vote off for a couple of weeks where sportsmen can voice their opinions both pro and con. We find the Senate Wildlife Chairman a likeable fellow who intends to be fair in the handling of this matter. He is giving you a chance to contact his Committee and other Senators about this bill. We need you to call and voice your opinion on SB2048. They want your input.
House Bill 186-This bill that was introduced by Cecil Brown (District 66-Hinds) allows the Commission-Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to define the term ‘bow and arrow” and other law or regulation applicable to archery season. There can be little doubt the intent of defining ‘bow and arrow’ is to allow the use of crossbows. We are not certain what the wording of ‘other law and regulation applicable to archery season’ means, but we will have to assume it’s not good. We urge you to contact your House Wildlife Committee member and state your views on this bill.
Given that both SB2048 and HB186 are primarily crossbow bills, one might ask why should we oppose these new proposed changes? It is our belief that the majority of bowhunters oppose the crossbows use in an archery season other than for the elderly and physically challenged. Additionally, the question that not any of us can answer is can crossbow legalization make bow and arrow usage obsolete? One only has to look at the ‘modern’ primitive weapon changes a few years ago to see how those changes have made the use of muzzleloaders a rare event in this state. The MBA can see bow and arrow usage following the same trend. In the state of Ohio, crossbow users outnumber vertical bow users so it can happen! It is also a grave concern that if lawmakers allow the use of crossbows under the reasoning of more “opportunity”, what comes next? Archery seasons as they exist today are fair based on the fact that they provide “opportunity” to every sportsmen in this state to participate in the archery season. An individual is only limited by their free will choice to participate. The MBA doesn’t believe that a weapon that has its power mechanically loaded, is shouldered, scoped, has a solid trigger assembly, and can be made to stay in a ready to fire position…is valid archery equipment . One might ask….what archery skills are employed to shoot this archery weapon? Crossbows are not bows; regardless of what some people may say.
So you may ask, exactly what do I need to do? (!!!!)
Contact your local Senator/Representative from the county that you reside (see link below) as these bills will hit a committee vote soon!
Once you have made your calls & emails please get your friends to do the same! We have also provided a web address to every elected legislative official so you can obtain more contact info and numbers to call your hometown legislator. These people hold the future of bowhunting. The time is short and the stakes are high. Start those calls & emails now!
Thank you for your help.
MBA Legislative Committee
All Senate members web link:
billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/s_roster.pdf
All House members web link:
billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/h_roster.pdf